Insulin Chart

Each insulin has its own unique therapeutic effect. The onset of action of a particular insulin is how long it takes the hormone to start working at lowering blood glucose levels. The insulin peak is the point at which the dose is at the height of its therapeutic effectiveness, and the duration is how long the blood glucose lowering effect of a given insulin lasts from injection to end. Following is a list of insulin types available in the United States, along with their onset, peak, and duration. Talk to your healthcare provider about your insulin regimen.

Insulin preparation

Onset of action

Peak

Duration of action

Lispro (Humalog)

<15 minutes

1-2 hours

3-6 hours

Aspart (Novolog)

<15 minutes

1-2 hours

3-6 hours

Glulisine (Apidra)

<15 minutes

1-2 hours

3-6 hours

Regular (Novolin R, Humulin R)

30-60 minutes

2-4 hours

6-10 hours

Humulin R Regular U-500

30-60 minutes

2-4 hours

Up to 24 hours

NPH (Novolin N, Humulin N, ReliOn)

2-4 hours

4-8 hours

10-18 hours

Glargine (Lantus)

1-2 hours

Usually no peak

Up to 24 hours

Detemir (Levemir)

1-2 hours

Usually no peak **

Up to 24 hours**

Glargine Injection (Toujeo)

6 hours

No true peak

24-36 hours

Afrezza

<15 minutes

Approx. 50 minutes

2-3 hours

Premixed Insulins***

Onset of action

Peak

Duration of action

Novolin 70/30, Humulin 70/30

30-60 minutes

2-10 hours

10-18 hours

Humalog 75/25, Novolog 70/30, Humalog 50/50

10-30 minutes

1-6 hours

10-14 hours

Afrezza, a rapid-acting, inhalable form of insulin is now available as well. For more information on Afrezza, click here.

*Information derived from a combination of manufacturer's prescribing information and clinical studies. Individual response to insulin preparations may vary. **Peak and length of action may depend on size of dose and length of time since initiation of therapy ***Premixed insulins are more variable in peak and duration of action. For instance, even though the literature states that the effects may last for up to 24 hours many people find that they will need to take a dose every 10-12 hours.

by
Carey Potash
Either we’ve completely bought into the cream-filled notion that people with type 1 diabetes can do anything or we’ve absolutely lost our minds. Following an intense week of hockey camp, Charlie just completed an intense week of lacrosse camp. The difference for me was that the first week I was camped out at the rink, running around like a pancreas with its head cut off. During this past week of lacrosse camp, I was back at work in a much more civilized...